He wasn’t born with
the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but
when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. And Maniac Magee
became a legend. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he
hit an inside-the-park “frog” homer; how no knot, no matter how snarled, would
stay that way once he began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee is best
known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the
West Side.

Listener Opinions

" It was an okay book, but I probably wouldn't have read it if my teacher hadn't made it a requirement to read. "

by Tanjie | 2/17/2014

" If you ever listen to audiobooks, this one's fantastic! Reader S. Epatha Markerson does an indescribably awesome job! "

by Rawr413 | 2/6/2014

" My first taste of my favorite author. The plot was genuine and it showed me everything unique that can go in a character. It's still on my shelf, almost falling apart from how many times it's been read and how old it is. The creases in the cover make it that much more special, don't you think? I don't know why, but his allergy to pizza has always stuck with me. Little things remind me of it, then I'll slink back home and read it over again. This book has a high replay value, and I love that about it. "

by Ricky Jordan | 2/2/2014

" This is a book that young boys should read. It deals with racism and bullying along with Maniac McGee who is the main character. He is a legend but nobody knows anything about him! "

" Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli, is a book about a young orphan named Jeffrey Magee. When his parents die in a freak accident, he is sent to live with his unhappy and divided aunt and uncle, and he runs away after eight years with them, unable to stand the tension between them. He runs and runs, all the way to the racially divided town of Two Mills, where he learns of racial discrimination and changes the way everyone in town thinks about it. It is a really good book because of the way that Jerry Spinelli wrote the book; the plot was amazing and the way that Spinelli added in small details was just as skillful. "

Michaelroy | 1/16/2014

" This book is really good. I've read this book over and over again and got the same excitment every time i read this book. Jerry Spenelli really did do excellent on this book. "

" Oh God, I haven't read this book in literally forever, but I remember enjoying it very much. "

Bree | 1/6/2014

" Dude, I think this is one of the best books ever I also love the WASTSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM! "

Kobe Green | 12/19/2013

" This book is so intersting i love every detail about it i enjoyed it all alot.I think this book is recomeneded to every yound teen or young child > "

Tyler Reid | 12/1/2013

" I thought every part of this book was awful but had a good moral . But that's about it "

Russell | 6/9/2013

" This book is very good but some parts are boring "

Collin Rockefer | 5/15/2013

" First book I legitimately enjoyed "

Christi | 5/2/2013

" 2.5 stars.... it was good the kids loved reading it together "

Caroline | 4/21/2013

" It had a great ending that made up for everything bad in the book "

Amy Young | 1/27/2013

" My sister is hosting a book group for future 5th graders -- my first time to sit with five girls, three adults and snacks discussing a book. This was a great one to start with! Very well written and got at a host of ideas to discuss. "

Brooklyn K. | 12/29/2012

" This was a pretty good book! Not my favorite but still good! "

Courtney C | 10/5/2012

" Jeffery Lionel Magee is known as Maniac Maggee. After a tragic death of his parents, he is forced to move around in order to find a home to stay in. i really like this book and it was acction packed. their was never a dull moment! "

Lorelie | 9/1/2012

" Still perhaps Jerry Spinelli's best work. Love Jeffrey Magee. Love Amanda... Mars Bars..Grayson all are amazing characters! Love the way the story is written in a legend format making Maniac bigger than life... and a bit easier to accept the difficult times in his life without it being just too sad. "

Talmage | 7/8/2012

" I read this when I was in 5th grade (Apparently I learned everything in 5th grade) and I remember giving it a 10 when the teacher asked how we liked it on a scale of 1 - 10. "

Grayson | 6/23/2011

" It was odd reading about a character with my name. the book had a certian flow to it that made it special along with of course the chain of event from begining to end. Id recomend it to any young readers. "

Ashley | 5/24/2011

" Great story. Includes themes of: homelessness, loss, family, racism, baseball, friends. Story of young boy trying to find a place to belong.
"

Meg | 5/22/2011

" It is a good book sad almost through the whole story.
"

Wendy | 5/17/2011

" Well done captivating story about race struggles.
"

Eeiko | 5/15/2011

" Could not get into it.
"

Karolinde (Kari) | 5/14/2011

" Not only is this a well written book, but also a powerful story of how one person can make a difference in even the strangest of ways.
"

Seth | 5/12/2011

" My favorite book as a kid!
"

Coyla | 5/7/2011

" A great book for young adults. I'll be looking for more books by Spinelli.
"

Jen | 5/4/2011

" This book has just become one of my all-time favorites. I know it's a children's book, but I somehow I never read it before. Young at heart I guess ! :-) This book is the next one my 5th grader is going to read, and I am eager to discuss it with him and see what he thinks!
"

" I read this book in elementary school and when I found it on the shelf today I decided to pick it up again. I'm enjoying it just as much as an adult.
"

Karen | 4/29/2011

" Great book for 5th grade. Helps students become aware of racial prejudice
"

clairebear18 | 4/27/2011

" so far good i am to read it in school for a novel book with a group.
"

Audrey | 4/22/2011

" This book involved three deaths, which made me cry a bit. But throughout the rest of the book, it is fantastic. Maniac helps the East End (the blacks) get along with the West End (the whites) and vice versa. He is like a hero in which he can be on both sides, or no side at all.
"

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